Switching apparatus



w. M. sco T ET AL SWITCHING APPARATUS Filed July 28, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet l 1i J51 Z6 U 126 I Z I 1/ c a I H v INVENTORS flla A TTORNEY Oct. 23', 1928.

W. M. SCOTT ET AL swm'cnma APPARATUS Filed July 28, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I-NVENTORS 1 M Ra f COW d4 ATTORNEY Oct. 23, 1928. 1,688,754

W. M. SCOTT ET AL SWITCHING APPARATUS Filed July 28, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 M"i .Z2E M Mimi- 4A TTORNEY Patented Oct. 23, 1928.

UNITED STATES PIATENT- OFFICE.

WILLIAM H. SCOTT. 0F TBEDYFFRIN TOWNSHIP, CHESTER COUNTY AND JAKE H. WYATT, 0F KIBKLYN, PENNSYLVANIA; SAID WYATT ASSIGNOB TO SAID SCOTT.

SWITCHING APPARATUS.

Application filed July 28,

Our invention relates to electrical switching mechanism, including automatic circuit breakers and the like, for controlling or protecting electric circuits carrying current for power, lighting or other purposes.

Our invention resides in switching mechanism comprising independently or alternately operable switch arms or switches, and means for actuating them dissimultaneously, alternately or in succession, and at least one of them is a non-closable automatic circuit breaker.

More particularly, our invention resides in a double arm automatic circuit breaker, each arm or pole of which consists of or comprises a non-closable automatic circuit breaker.

Our invention resides further in a double arm circuit breaker comprising non-closable poles or arms, in combination with resetting mechanism, preferably detached from the circuit breaker arms, for resetting them dissimultaneously, alternately or in succession.

Our invention resides also in switch or circuit breaker structure of the character above referred to disposed within a housing upon which is carried in detached relation to the switch arms or poles resetting mechanism operable from the exterior of the housing.

()ur invention resides further in features of construction respecting manual tripping means and visual means for indicating the position of switching mechanism.

Our invention resides in features of construction, arrangement and combination of the character hereinafter described and claimed.

For an illustration of one of the various forms our invention may take, reference may be had to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view, partly in vertical section, of apparatus embodying our invention.

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of structure of the character illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view. on enlarged scale, of part of the structure of one of the switches or circuit breaker arms.

1923. Serial No.'654,351.

Figs. 11 and 12 are, respectively, side and front elevational views of the second 1atch..

Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic view of a circuit arrangement in which our apparatus is utilizable.

Referring to the drawings, the switching mechanism'comprises a plurality of switches, poles, switch arms or automatic circuit breakers, as A and B, disposed adjacent each other and operating or operable as hereinafter described.

The switches,arms or circuit breakers are of any suitable structure, and are generally and preferably similar.

In the example illustrated, each of the arms or circuit breakers comprises a base 1, of any suitable material preferably insulating material, such as slate or marble, upon WlllCll are secured the upper and lower main contact terminals 2 and 3, with which engage the ends of the laminae of the brush or movable contact or bridging member 4, carried by member 5 pivoted at 6 to the bracket or housing 7 carried by or secured to the base 1. 'Pivoted to the arm 5 at 8 is the toggle link 9, pivoted at 10 to the toggle member or link 11 and which is pivoted at 12 to the housing 7, and

has the downwardly extending arm 13 carrying the latch-engaging plate 14. The mem- 3 her 13 or other means for operating the mov--' able contact member 4 may be considered the operating member actuated by the actuator 33as hereinafter described.

Pivoted at 10 is the latch 15, controlled by the spring 16 wrapped around the pivot 10 and having its ends engaging, respectively, with. the latch 15 and the toggle member 11, the spring tending to rotatet-he latch 15 in a clockwise direction about its pivot 10, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 3. Pivoted to the housing 7 at '17 is a roller 18, with which the lower end of the latch engages. Pivoted concentrically with the roller 18 at 17 is the latch actuator 19 having-the member or lu 20, co-acting with the latch 15, and the tail 21. The actuator 19 is provided with a notch 22, which embraces the pivot pin-6 for limiting the angular movement of the latch actuator 19. The latch actuator has a second tail or projection 23 co-acting with a second latch hereinafter described.

Pivoted at 17 is a member 24, having an arm 25, through an aperture in which extends a pin on. the end of the rod 26 pivoted at 27 to the armature 28 pivoted at 29. The armature 28 is adapted to be attracted upwardly by the electro-magnet having poles 30, 30 and exciting winding 31, which may be an overload winding, as indicated, or a winding responsive to any other electrical condition as may be suitable or desirable. The mom er 24 carries a member 32, which upon attraction of the armature 28 en ages the tail 21 of the latch actuator 19 to e ect actuation of the second latch hereinafter referred to.

Pivoted to the housing 7 at 12 is the actuating member or lever '33, limited in clockwise movement, as'viewed in Figs. 1 and 3, by a lug 34 engaging the under side of the housing 7. It has an arm 35, to which is attached one end of the s ring 36, whose other end is attached to a xed point, as to the base 1, the spring tending to rotate the actuating lever 33 in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fi s. 1 and 3. The spring 36 may be applie to the operating levers of both breakers A and B, or to one of them only, as indicated in Fig. 4. Pivoted upon the actuator 33 at 37 is the dog or second latch 38 having the thrust notch or shoulder 39, which engages the plate or member 14 upon the toggle member 11, and the tail 40, with which co-acts the tail 23 upon the latch actuator 19. A spring 41 wrapped around the pivot 37 has one end engaging the actuating lever 33 and the other end engaging the latch 38 for causing the latch 38 to tend to rotate in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 3, rotation in such direction being limited by the lug 42 on latch 38 which comes into engagement with the surface 43 upon the member 33.

The actuating lever 33 terminates in a member 44 in the form of a roller, pin or otherwise, as may be suitable or desirable.

Both switches or circuit breakers are enclosed Within the housing H, preferably of metal, which and the base 1 are carried by a second housing C, which may be secured by screws 45 or other suitable means to any suitable support, as a wall, pillar, post, etc.

Communicating with the interior of the housing C is a pipe or conduit 46, through or supply circuit.

which extendthe conductors 47 and 48 connecting either with the source of current or the load or consumption circuit. The conductors 47 and 48 are connected through the studs 49 with the upper main terminals 2 of the switches or circuit breakers A and B, respectively. The lower terminals 3 are connected with the magnet coils or windings 31, whose other terminals connect with the studs 50, with which connect the conductors 51 and 52 for connecting the breakers A and B, respectively, with the load or consumption circuit, or vice versa, the source of current The conductors 51 and 52 may extend through the pipe or conduit 53 communicating with the interior of the housing C.

Upon a suitable wall of the housing H, as the front wall W, is secured the bracket or hearing block 54, in which is rotatable the hollow or tubular shaft 55, which extends to the exterior of the housing, where there is secured thereto the operating lever or handle 56. Secured upon the shaft 55 within the housing is the resetting or actuating member 57 carrying the members 58 and 59, Figs. 1, 2 and 4, in detached relation to members 44. Members 58 and 59 are preferably of insulating material, and are provided with the engaging surfaces 60 for engagin and actuatin the members 44 of the brea er arms. A sprin 61, wrapped around the hub of the mem er 57, has its ends disposed on opposite sides of the lugs 62 and 63 on the members 57 and 54, respectively, for returning members 58 and 59 to normal, mid or neutral. position, as indicated in Figs. 2 and 4, after actuation by handle 56.

Secured to the members 24 of the two breaker arms are the ends 64 of a U-shaped member 65 carrying at its middle a block of insulatin material 66, which is adapted to engage t 1e end 67 of the member 68, which is secured to the rod 69 extending through the bore of the shaft 55 and terminating in the button 70, a spring 71 between the button 70 and the operating member 56 biasing the rod 69 and member 68 toward the right, as viewed in Fig. 1. The U-shaped member 65 is provided adjacent its middle with two members 72, between which is disposed the end 67 of the member 68, whereby member 68 is prevented from rotating about the axis of the shaft 55.

Secured at 73 to the arm 5 is the bracket member 74 extending outside of the housing member 7 and pivoted concentrically with the arm 5 at 6. The housing member 7 lies between the arm 5 and the lower portion of the bracket 74. Pivoted to the bracket 7 4 at 75 is the link 76, pivoted at 77 to the lug 78 secured upon the member or arm 79 pivoted to the housing at 80 and carrying at its forward end the visual signal or indicating member 81 which, as the bridging memher 4 moves to open circuit position, is rotated in clockwise direction, as viewed in Fi 1, thereby changing the position of the in icating member 81 with respect to the aperture 82 in the wall W. The members 81 are visible through the apertures 82 when the bridging arms 4 are in a predetermined position, as circuit closing position, as indicated. When the breakers or switches are in open circuit position, the members'81 are not visible, thereby indicating to the observer the fact that either or both switches is or are in open circuit position.

Referring to Fig. 13, there is illustrated one of the modes of use of our apparatus. The

, conductors D and E are the supply circuit the character herein described.

conductors connecting with the source of current. M represents generically the translating device or load in the consumption circuit. and is connected with the supply conductors D and E through circuit breaker structure of As indicated in this diagram, and also in Fig. 2, it is preferred that each arm or circuit breaker be supplied with its own tripping coil 31. It

will be understood, however, that one tripping coil 31 may suffice for both breakers A and B when the tripping mechanism is such that the one tripping coil may actuate the latches or restraining means of both breakers, as is the case also in the example illustrated, where the members 24 are interconnected by the member 65, whereby when the armature 28 of either circuit breaker is attracted. both members 24 will be actuated, and therefore the latches of both circuit breakers will be actuated.

Considering one circuit breaker alone, its

. mode of operation'is as follows:

With the parts in the circuit closing position as indicated in Fig. 1 and in full lines in Fig. 3, upon occurrence of overload or other electrical condition in the circuit the armature 28 will be attracted, causing actuation of the latch actuator 19 through the member 21, and the latch actuator then engages by its lug 20 the latch 15, rotating it in counter-clockwise direction in opposition to spring 16 to carry its lower end toward the right beyond the imaginary straight line connecting the ccnters of pivot 10 and roller 18, whereupon the latch is free and the toggle 9, 11 may collapse, and the arm 5 then moves in clockwise direction, under the influence of gravity, or the spring action of the contact member 4, or under the action of a spring, not shown, which may be supplied for the pur ose, thus rupturing the circuit, and some of t e parts will move to the positions indicated in dotted lines in 'Fig.

To close or reset the breaker, the member 57 is rotated by handle 56 in direction suitable to cause the member 58 to depress the member 44:, and therefore actuating lever 33, moving it in clockwise 'direction,.the shoulder or notch 39 of the thrust latch 38 pressing against the member 14' ontoggle member 11,

thereby extending the toggle and moving the contact member i into circuit closing position.

The contact member 4, being resilient or in.

effect a. spring, may be compressed slightly beyond the final circuit closing position, thereby extending the toggle 9, 11 somewhat further than indicated in full lines in Fig. 3, thereby lifting the end of the latch 15 free of the roller 18, and the spring 16 carries thelower end of the latch 15 across dead center position, that is, beyond the imaginary line joining the pivot 10 with the center of the roller 18. Then upon release of pressure upon the actuating member 33, the contact member 4 is locked in circuit closing position, with the toggle 9, 11 in undertravelled position, that is, the center of pivot 10 does not rise above the imaginary line joining the centers of pivots 8 and 12.

If during the closing movement last .described there obtains an abnormal electrical condition in the circuit such as will cause, for example, an overload uponthe circuit, upon first engagement of the switch contacts in circuit closing position the electro-magnet will be energized, the armature 28 attracted, thereby actuating the member 24, which in turn actuates the latch actuator 19, whose tall or extension 23 then depresses downwardly upon T the top of the tail 40 of the second latch 38, rotating it in counter-clockwise direction about its pivot 37 to withdraw the shoulder or notch 39 from the member 14, thereby tripping ].oose the operative connection between the lever 33 and the toggle member 11, allowing the circuit breaker to fly to open circuit position notwithstanding the then position of the actuating member 33. In such event the toggle member 11, 13 will take the dotted line position indicated in Fig. 3, while the actuating member 33 will be in a position adjacent that indicated in full lines. To again close the breaker, the actuating lever 33 must be raised, that is, rotated in counter, clockwise direction until the shoulder or notch 39 of the latch 38 again engages the member 14 upon the toggle member 11, whereupon the circuit closing movement may be repeated, and if the overload or other undesired electrical condition has ceased, the breaker may be finally locked in circuit closing position by the latch 15.

It will be understood that the latch 15 may be of any other suitable type, as, for example, a hook latch pivoted to the housing 7 or base 1 and engaging a roller or pin carried by the toggle member 11, 13. Similarly the latch 38 may be of other structure or type, but it is generally desirable and of importance, when used in a double pole or double arm combination to be operated as herein described, that the latch 38 be of the dog or thrust type, that is, one which does not hook to the actuating member 33, but which merely vBU Ian

from the toggle member 11, 13 when the mem 1 her 33 is moved in counter-clockwise direction, that is, in a direction opposite that'which effects circuit closing movement of the parts. When the spring 36 is present, particularl under circumstances hereinafter descr'ibecli after the parts have been moved to circuit closing position and pressure u on the top of the member 44 is removed, as y return of member 58 to normal or neutral position as by spring 61, the actuating member 33 is rotated by the spring in counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3, to position indicated in dotted lines, the member 58 serving, it desired, as a stop for limiting such movement. When the breaker is thereafter tripped, the toggle member 11, 13 takes the position indicated in dotted lines, with the member 14 in position to be again actuated towards circuit closing positlon through the latch 38.

Considering now the two arms A and B in combination with each other, the operation is as follows:

Assuming both breakers or arms A and B to be in circuit closing position. and assuming an abnormal electrical condition, as for example, an overload, to exist in either or both branches including, respe tively, the breakers A and B, one or both electr0-1nagnets, or the one electro-magnet alone, if there be a single one as above indicated, will cause actuation of one or both armatures 28 and eflect a tripping of one or both breakers in the manner hereinbefore described. Or if it is desired to trip the breakers in advance fore/without movement of the resetting structure 57, as described in the co-pending application of William M. Scott, Serial No. 619,586, now Patent No. 1,598,749, issued September 7, 1926. The rod 69 in moving to the left, as indicated in Fig. 1, moves the member 68 toward the left, causing its end 67 to engage the block of insulating material 66 and thereby actuate the member and through it both members 24, which in turn cause actuation of both latches 15, causing both breakers to fly to open circuit position.

Assuming an abnormal electrical condition in the circuit, such, for example, as will cause overload current flow, one of the breakers is closed and latched by moving the handle 56 in one direction, and upon movement in opposite direction the member 58 will depress the member 44 of the other circuit breaker, moving it towards circuit closing position. However, immediately the fixed It accordingly follows that when there is such overload condition upon the circuit the circuit cannot be permanently closed through both circuit breakers, but the one last to be moved towards circuit closing position will operate upon the non-closable principle to prevent circuit closure, and the other circuit breaker previously closed may also be tripped open.

This general result is obtainable by a circuit breaker mechanism of the ordinary double arm type. But under some circumstances a double arm circuit breaker of the ordinary type will fail to give the protection required.

One of the circumstances under which the usual or ordinary double arm circuit breaker will not afford the required protection is indicated in Fig. 13, where there may occur on one of the supply conductors, as E, a ground Gr when there occurs simultaneously a ground at G in the load or consumption circuit supplied through the double arm circuit breaker A, B from the conductors D, E. The ground G may occur, for example, when the winding of the armature, as indicated, or the field, of the motor M is grounded to its frame F, which latter is generally grounded. With the two grounds G and G simultaneously existing, it is apparent, assuming the circuit breakers A and B be not of the nonclosable type, but of the ordinary automatic type, that if the circuit breaker B be first closed no abnormal current will flow through the magnet Winding 31 of the breaker B upon subsequent closure of the breaker A, and therefore the breaker B will not be automatically tripped, in accordance with the usual double arm principle, though upon closure of the breaker A an abnormal current flows between supply conductor D through breaker A, ground G ground G, to supply conductor E, for in closing the breaker A the operator has control of the handle, and he will efi'ect circuit closure through the breaker A long enough for the resultant abnormal current to damage the motor or other apparatus.

If, however, under the circumtances above described, the breaker A be of the non-closable type, the breaker. B may be closed, and then upon attempted closure of the circuit breaker A, with resultant abnormal current through its coil 31 only, and without abnormal current through the coil 31 of the breaker B, the breaker will nevertheless fly to open eeann circuit position, and circuit closure for a period permitting the abnormal current to do amage will be prevented.

that the circuit breaker B be of the nonclosable type. To cover all mischances, however, it is desirable, as stated, that both breakers A and B be of the non-closable t pe.

Protection against a mischance of the c aracter above described could be effected by connecting breakers A and B in the same side of the circuit, in which event they could be ordinary automatic circuit breakers, without non-closable structure. But inasmuch as it is indeterminable, as stated, on which side of the circuit the abnormal condition may arise, to take care of both sides of the circuits would in effect require four circuit breakers, a double arm circuit breaker in each side of the circuit. By utilizing, however, circuit break- 4 ers of the non-closa etype, in a double arm arrangement, in opposite sides of the circuit, as indicated in Fig. 13, full protection is obtainable by two clrcuit breakers as against breaker, and the other of which is either a manually o erated switch, or an automatic circuit breaker, but preferably is also a nonclosable circuit breaker. 'Or, briefly stated, the preferred combination is circuit breaker mechanism of the double arm type, each breaker being of the non-closable type, as distinguished from the simple automatic circuit breaker heretofore commonly used in the double arm relation.

As indicated in Figs. 2 and-4, the resetting member 58 by rotation in one direction moves one circuit breaker mechanism towards or to circuit closing position and, by movement in the other direction moves the other circuit breaker mechanism towards or to circuit closing position.

In order that the non-closable circuit breakers may be operated and controlled by.

but few movements of the operating handle 56 or resettin member 57, it is desirable that the non-closa le structure be of a type in which the actuatin member, as 33, is moved, after closing and atching'the breaker, to a position, such as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3, corresponding with the position which it musttake to engage and operate the operating member 11, 13 when in open circuit before described. Suc

position. For this reason it is desirable that thesecond latch, corresponding with latch 38, be not of the hook or other type which looks the actuating member 33 to the operating member, as 11, 13, for effecting movement of the latter in both directions, for in such case the operating member could not be moved to the dotted position described when he breaker was'in the circuit closing position and there latched. In consequence, the latch 38, or any equivalent thereof, is preferably of a type which engages "with the operating member, as 11, 13,- onl in movement in one direction, as in the irection for effecting circuit closure. For this purpose a dog or thrust latch, such as 38, is utilized, whereby the operating member, 11, 13, may be actuated by movement of the actuating member 33 in one direction, but when the circuit breaker is closed and latched, the member 33 may be withdrawn from the operating member to osition' such as indicated in'dotted lines in The withdrawal of the actuating member 33 to the position indicated in dotted lines may be effected by a s ring 36, as hereina s ring may be applied in either or both brea ers A and B.

In lieu of a spring 36, there may be utilized a member 59, carried by the resetting member 57, which engages the under side of the member 44, positively raising the member 33 to dotted line position upon rotation of the member 57 in counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 4.

By preference, however, one of the breakers, as B, is provided with a s ring 36, while the other, as A, is provided wlth the member 59, as indicated in Fig. 4:. o By this arrangement, upon rotation of the member 57 in clockwise direction, Fig. 4, after both break- .ers A and B have been tripped to open circuit position, the member 33 of breaker B is rotated in clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3, moving the operating member 11, 13 in like direction and moving the circuit breaker to circuit closing position, where it is latched. Simultaneously, the member 33 of breaker A, having no s ring 36, is raised by member 59 to position or engagement of its latch 38 with the operating member 11, 13, ready for movement to circuit closing po sition. As the member 57 is returned in counter-clockwise direction, the spring 36 of the breaker B raises the actuating member 33, and by continuation of rotation of the member 57 in counter-clockwise direction,

the member 58 depresses the member 33 of breaker A, moving it to circuit closing position, where-it is latched, the member 33 remaining in depressed position until again positively raised by the member 59.

Bythe structure described, it is a parent that the two breakers may be move to circuit closing position by two movements only of the resetting member 57 one in clockwise and the other in counter-clockwise direction. The closing of both breakers may be eiiected by two movements only, as described, in the case where the second breaker, as A, is also provided with spring 36.

In case neither breaker is provided wlth spring 36, the resetting member 57 may be provided with a second member 59,'s1m1lar to 59, for positively raising the member 33 of the breaker B. For this construction three movements are essential to effect closure of both breakers; first, a movement of the member 57 in one direction, as clockwise, to raise the member 33 of breaker A to position to engage the operating member of that breaker; then movement in counter-clockwise direction efi'ecting closure of the breaker A bythe member 58 and simultaneously the raising of the member 33 of the breaker B to position to engage the operating member 11, there of; then a third movement in clockwise direction for moving the breaker B to circuit closing position.

For brevity in the appended claims, the term non-elosable is utilized to describe that type of circuit breaker or switching mechanism in which an operating or actuating member is detachably related or connected to the movable contact structure in such .manner that upon occurrence of abnormal electrical condition in a circuit the relation between the actuating member and contact structure is changed or they are disconnected from each other prior to restraint of the movable contact structure fully in normal or circuit closing position.

What we claim is:

1. Switching apparatus comprising a switch, a non-closable automatic circuit breaker in series with said switch, and resetting mechanism common to them for resetting them in succession.

2. Switching apparatus comprising a switch in series in a circuit, a non-closable automatic circuit breaker in series with said switch in the opposite side'of said circuit, and resetting mechanism common to them for resetting them in succession.

3. Switching apparatus comprising a switch, a non-closable automatic circuit breaker in series with said switch, and resetting mechanism common to them operable in different directions for resetting them in succession.

4. Switching apparatus comprising a switch, a non-closable automatic circuit breaker, a housing enclosing said switch and circuit breaker, and resetting mechanism carried by said housing in detached relation to said switch and said circuit breaker and operable from the exterior of said housing for resetting them. in succession.

5. Switching apparatus comprising a switch, a non-closable automatic circuit breaker, a housing enclosing said switch and circuit breaker, and resetting mechanism carried by said housing in detached relation to said switch and said circuit breaker and operable from the exterior of said housing in different directions for resetting them in succession.

6. Switching apparatus comprisin an automatic circuit breaker, a non-closab e automatic circuit breaker in series therewith, and resetting mechanism common to them for resetting them in succession.

7. Switching apparatus comprising an automatic circuit breaker in series in one side of a circuit, a non-closable automatic circuit breaker in series with said circuit breaker in the opposite side of said circuit, and resetting mechanism common to said circuit breakers for resetting them in succession.

8. Switching ap aratus comprising an automatic circuit breaker, a non-closable automatic circuit breaker in series therewith, and resetting mechanism common to them operable in different diiections for resetting them in succession.

9. Switching apparatus comprising an automatic circuit breaker, a non-closable automatic circuit breaker in series therewith, a housing enclosing said circuit breakers, and resettng mechanism common to them carried by said housing in detached relation to them and operable from the exterior for resetting them in succession.

10. Switching apparatus comprising an automatic circuit breaker, a non-closable automatic circuit breaker in series therewith, a housing enclosing said circuit breakers, rcsetting mechanism common to them ca ried by said housing in detached relation to them and operable from the exterior for resetting them in succession, and means manually operable from the exterior of said housing for tripping said circuit breakers.

11. Switching apparatus comprising an automatic circuit breaker, a non-closable automatic circuit breaker in series therewith, a housing enclosing said circuit breakers, re-- setting mechanism common to them carried by said housing in detached relation to them and operable from the exterior for resetting them in succession, and means manually operable from the exterior of said housing and movable independently of said resetting mechanism for tripping said circuit breakers.

12. Switching apparatus comprising a non closable automatic circuit breaker, a second non-closable automatic circuit breaker in series in the same circuittherewith, and resetting means common to said circuit breakers for resetting them in succession.

13. Switching apparatus comprising a non closable automatic circuit breaker, a second non-closable automatic circuit breaker in scriesin the same circuit therewith, and resetting mechanism common to said circuit breakl'lU series in the same circuit therewith, a housing enclosing said circuit breakers, and resetting mechanism common to said circuit breakers carried by said housing in detached relation thereto and rotatable in opposite directions from the exterior for resetting them in succession.

16. Switching apparatus comprising a nonclosable automatic circuit breaker, a second non-closable automatic circuit breaker in series in the same circuit therewith, a housing enclosing said circuit breakers, resetting mechanism common to said circuit breakers carried by said housing in detached relation thereto and operable from the exterior for resetting them in succession, and means manual- 1y operable from the exterior of said housing for tripping said circuit breakers.

17 Switching apparatus comprising an automatic circuit breaker, a non-closable automatic circuit breaker in series in the same circuit therewith, electro-responsive means for each of said circuit breakers for tripping it,

' and resetting mechanism common to said eircuit breakers for resetting them in succession.

18. Switching apparatus comprising an automatic circuit breaker, a non-closable automatic circuit breaker in series in the same circuit therewith, elect-ro-responsive means for each of said circuit breakers for tripping both, and resetting mechanism common to said circuit breakers for resetting them in succession.

19. Switching apparatus comprising an automatic circuit breaker in one side of a circuit, a non-closable automatic circuit breaker in series therewith in the opposite side of said circuit, elect-roa-esponsive means for each of said circuit breakers for tripping it, and resetting mechanism common to said circuit breakers for resetting them in succession.

20. Switching apparatus comprising a nonclosablc automatic circuit breaker, a second non-closable automatic circuit breaker in series therewith in the same circuit. electroresponsive means for each of said circuit breakers for tripping it. and resetting mechanism common to said circuit breakers for resetting them in succession.

2 i. Switching apparatus comprising a non closable automatic circuit breaker, a second non-closable automatic circuit breaker in series therewith in the same circuit, electro-responsive means for each of said circuit breakers for tripping both, and resetting mechanism common to said circuit breakers for resetting them in succession.

22. Switching apparatus comprising a nonclosable automatic circuit breaker in one side of a circuit, a second non-closable automatic ,circuit breaker in series therewith in the opposite side of the breaker, electro-responsive means for each of said circuit breakers for tripping it, and resetting mechanism common to said circuit breakers for resetting them in succession.

23. Switching apparatus comprising a nonclosable automatic circuit breaker in one side of a circuit, a second non-closable automatic circuit breaker in series therewith in the opposite side of the breaker, electro-responsive means for each of said circuit breakers for tripping both, and resetting mechanism common to said circuit breakers for resetting them in succession.

24. An automatic circuit breaker comprising a movable contact member, an operating member therefor, means for restraining said contact member in circuit closing position, a member for actuating said operating memher, a thrust latch through which said actuating member engages said operating member in moving said operating member to circuit closing position only, electro-responsive means controlling said latch, and means for withdrawing said actuating member from said operating member.

25. An automatic circuit breaker comprising a movable contact member, an operating member therefor, means for restraining said contact member in circuit closing position, a member for actuating said operating member, a disengageable connection between said actuating and operating members compris ng means through which said actuating member thrusts against said operating member for moving said contact member to circuit closing position and permitting withdrawal of said actuating member from said operating member while said contact member is restrained in circuit closing position, electrorcsponsive means controlling said disengageable connection, and a member movable into engagement with said actuating member for withdrawing said actuating member from said operating member.

26. An automatic circuit breaker comprising a movable contact member, an operating member therefor. means for restraining said contact member in circuit closing position. a member for actuating said operating member, a disengageable connection between said actuat ng and operating members comprising means through which said actuating member thrusts against said operating member for moving said contact member to circuit closing position and permitting withdrawal of said actuating member from said operating member while said contact member is restrained in circuit closing position, electro-responsivemeans controlling said disengage-- able connection, means for withdrawing said actuating member from said operating member, and resetting means for engaging and moving said actuating member from position to which withdrawn to circuit closing position. i

27. An automatic circuit breaker comprising a movable contact member, an operating member. therefor, means for restraining said contact member in circuit'closing position, a member for actuating said operating member, a disengageable connection between said actuating and operating members comprising means through which said actuating member thrusts against said operating member for moving said contact member to circuit closing position and permitting withdrawal of said actuating member from said operating member while said contact member is restrained in circuit closing position, electro-responsive means controlling said disengageable connection, a member movable into engagement with said actuating member for withdrawing said actuating member from said operating member, and resetting means movable in unison with said last named member for engaging said actuating member and moving it from position to which withdrawn to circuit closing position.

28. An automatic circuit breaker comprising a movable contact member, an operating member therefor, means for restraining said contact member in circuit closing position, a member for actuating said operating member, a disengageable connection between said actuating and operating members comprising means through which said actuating member thrusts against said operating member for moving said contact member to circuit closing position and permitting withdrawal of said actuating member from said operating member while said contact member is restrained in circuit closing position, electro-responsive 'means controlling said disengageable connection, and mechanism for actuating said actuating member comprisingmembers movable in unison with each other and when moved in opposite directions engaging said actuating member for withdrawing it from said operating member and for engaging said actuating member for returning said contact member to circuit closing position.

29. In combination with an electric switch, an automatic circuit breaker comprising a m movable contact member, an operatingmember therefor, means for restraining said contact member in circuit closing position, a member for actuating said operating member, a disengageable connection between said actuating and operating members comprising means through whlch said actuating member thrusts against said operating member for moving closing position, a member for actuating said operating member, a disengageable connection between said actuating and operating members comprising means through which said actuating member thrusts against said operating member for moving said contact member to circuit closing position and permitting withdrawal of said actuating member from said operating member while said contact member is restrained in circuit closing position, electro-responsive means controlling said disengageable connection, means for withdrawing said actuating member from said operating member, and resetting mechanism common to said circuit breakers for resetting them in succession.

31. The combination with a plurality of antomatic circuit breakers, each comprising a movable contact member, of an operating member therefor, means for restraining said contact member in circuit closing position, a member for actuating said operating member,

a disengageableconnection between said actuating and operating members comprising means through which said actuating member thrusts against said operating member for moving said contact member to circuit closing position and permitting withdrawal of said actuating member from saidoperating member while said contact member is restrained in ,circuit closing position, electroresponsive means controlling said disengageable connection, means for withdrawing said actuating member from said operating member, and resetting means common to said circuit breakers for resetting them in succession.

32. In combination with a plurality of automatic circuits breakers, each comprising a movable contact member, an operating member therefor, means for restraining said cont-act member in circuit closing position, a member for actuating said operating member, a disengageable connection between said actuating and operating members comprising means through which said actuating era, a member in another of said circuit breakers movable to engage the actuating member thereof to withdraw it from the operating member, and resetting means common to said circuit breakers for actuating their actuating members in succession.

33. In combination with a pluralitypf automatic circuit breakers, each comprising a movable contact member, an operating member therefor, means for restraining said contact member in circuit closing position, a member for actuating said operating member, a disengageable connection between said actuating and operating members comprising means through which said actuating member thrusts against said operating member for moving said contact member to cirthereof to withdraw it from the operatin member, and means for resetting said one 0 said breakers moving in unison with said last named member when withdrawing the actuating member of said other of said circuit breakers, said resetting means movable in opposite direction to reset said other of said circuit breakers.

34. In combination with a plurality of automatic circuit breakers, each comprising a movable contact member, an operating member therefor, means for restraining said contact member in circuit closing position, a member for actuating said operating member, a disengageable connection between said actuating and operating members comprising means througln which said actuating member thrusts against said operating member for moving said contact member to cir-' cuit closing position and permitting withdrawal of said actuating member from said operating member while said contact member is restrained in circuit closing position, electro-responsive means controlling said disengageable connection, resetting means common to said circuit breakers for actuating their actuating members in succession, means for withdrawing the actuating member of one of said circuit breakers from its operating member, and a member movable with said resetting means for engaging the actuating member of another of said circuit breakers for withdrawing it from its co-acting operating member.

5. In combination with a plurality of automatic circuit breakers, each comprising a movable contact member, an operatingmember therefor, means for restrainin said contact member in circuit closing position, a member for actuating said operating member, a disengageable connection between said actuating and operating members comprising means through which said actuating member thrusts against said operating member for moving said contact member to circuit closing position and permitting withdrawal of said actuating member from said operating member while said contact member is restrained in circuit closing position, electroresponsive means controlling said disengageable connection, resetting means common to said circuit breakers for actuating said actuating members in succession, and members movable in unison with said resetting means for engaging, respectively, the actuating members of said circuit breakers for with drawing them in succession from their coacting operating members.

36. In combination with an electric switch, an automatic circuit breaker comprising a movable contact member, an operating member therefor, means for restraining said contact member in circuit closing position, a member for actuating said operating member, a disengageable connection between said actuatingand operating members comprising means through which said actuating member thrusts against said operating member for moving said contact member to circuit closing position and permitting withdrawal of said actuating member from said operating member while said contact, member is restrained in circuit closing position, electroresponsive means controlling said disengageable connection, means for withdrawing said actuating member from said operating member, a housing enclosing said switch and circuit breaker, and resetting mechanism carried by said housing in detached relation to said switch and circuit breaker and operable from the exterior of said housing for resettin them in succession,

3 7. In combination with an, automatic circuit breaker, a second automatic circuit breaker comprising a movable contact member, an operating member therefor, means for restraining said contact member in circuit closing position, a member for actuating said operating member, a disengageable connection between said actuating and o crating members comprisin means throug which said actuating mem r thrusts against said operating member for moving said contact member to circuit closing position and permitting withdrawal of said actuating memher from said operating member while said contact member is restrained in circuit closing position, electro-responsive means controlling'said disengageable connection, means for withdrawing said actuating member from said operating member, a housing enclosing said circuit breakers, and resetting mechanism carried by said housing in detached relation to said circuit breakers and operable from the exterior of said housing for resetting said circuit breakers in succession.

38. The combination with a plurality of automatic circuit breakers, each comprising a movable contact member, of an operating member therefor, means for restraining said contact member in circuit closing position, a member for actuating said operating member, a disengageable connection between said actuating and operating members comprising means through which said actuating member thrusts against said operating member for moving said contact member to circuit closing position and permitting withdrawal of said actuating member from said operating member while said contact member is restrained in circuit closing position, electroresponsive means controlling said disengageable connection, means for withdrawing said actuating member from said operating member, a housing enclosing said circuit breakers, and resetting mechanism carried by said housing in detached relation to said circuit breakers and operable from the exterior of said housing for resetting said circuit breakers in succession.

39. The combination with an electric switch comprising a movable contact member and means for lockin it in normal position, of an automatic circuit breaker comprising a movable contact member, means for looking it in normal position, an operating member therefor, a member for actuating said operating member, a disengageable connection between said actuating and operating members, and means common to said switch and circuit breaker for simultaneously actuating their locking means to trip them.

40. The combination with an electric switch comprising a movable contact member and means for looking it in normal position, of an automatic circuit breaker comprising a movable contact member, means for looking it in normal position, an operating member therefor, a member for actuating said operating member, a disengageable connection between said actuating and operating members, a housing enclosing said switch and circuit breaker, and manually operated means common to said switch and circuit breaker carried by said housing in detached relation to their locking means and operable from the exterior of said housing for simultaneously actuating said locking means to trip said switch and circuit breaker.

41. In combination, a plurality of automatic circuit breakers each comprisin a movable contact member, means for locking it in normal position, an operating member therefor, a member for actuating said operating member, a disengageable connection between disposed within said rotatable member and movable longitudinally independently thereof for actuating said tripping member.

42. In combination, a plurality of automatic circuit breakers each comprising a movable contact member, means for locking it in normal position, an operating member therefor, a member for actuating said operating member, a disengageable connection between said actuating and operating members, a tripping member common to said locking means for simultaneously actuating them, a housing enclosing said circuit breakers, resetting means carried by said housing in detached relation to said actuating members and operable from the exterior for actuating them in succession, said resetting means comprisin a rotatable member, a member disposed wit in said rotatable member and movable longitudinally independently thereof, and a member secured to said last named member and movable thereby to actuate said tripping member.

.3. The combination with a movable contact member of a switch, of a support, a ivoted lever disposed upon one side of sai support and carrying said contact member, a bracket movable with said lever and disposed on the opposite side of said support, a movable arm, a position indicator operated by said arm, and a link pivoted to said arm and said bracket.

44. The combination with a movable contact member of a switch, of a support, a lever for actuating said contact member ivoted to said support on one side thereof, a racket disposed upon the other side of said support and secured to said lever and extending to the ivotal axis of said lever, a movable mem r, a position indicator moved thereby, and a link pivoted to said bracket and said movable member.

45. Switching apparatus comprising a nonclosable automatic circuit breaker, a second non-closable automatic circuit breaker, a housing enclosing said circuit breakers, and resetting mechanism carried by said housing non-elosable automatic circuit breaker, a-

housing enclosing said circuit breakers, and

resettin mechanism carried by said housing in detac ed relation to said circuit breakers and operable from the exterior of said housing in different directions for resetting them in succession.

WILLIAM M. SCOTI. JAMES H. WYATT. 

